Denise was right, Welcome to the world Elias!

Two and a half years ago I got a phone call form Katherine King, a member of the board of directors of the Farm, offering me a position as a volunteer at the finca. I still remembering silencing her call in class and then calling back casually as I walked into my room in Lyons hall at Notre Dame. I was sure it was a rejection, and was ready to accept an offer with the Holy Cross Program in Chile. Then she turned my world upside down and told me I had been accepted.


I could not believe it. I got in to the program of my dreams, it couldn´t be. Being myself I immediately looked for my friends, they could help me process this and figure out what to do. Everyone, and I wish I was exaggerating, was in class, not around, and or not answering their phones. So I went to my dorm´s rectress and confidant of 4 years Denise.

I told her my perplexing situation. I knew I loved the farm, but I also knew it would be a challenge, as would Chile. I simply wanted someone else to make this grand decision for me. Denise, in true form, sat me down in her room. She told me that from what she had heard, I had two great options. She said that Chile would be like breaking my leg. It would be very trying, but I would grow a lot. She then said that the finca would be like giving birth to a child. That it would test me even more than I could imagine, but in the end, there would personal growth as grand and beautiful as a baby. She then told me I had to choose on my own.

I remember walking to the grotto perplexed. Then after calming down a bit having the clearest thought, I didn´t want to break my leg, I wanted the baby! I had already weighed the pros and cons of both programs, but I finally knew in my heart. I walked back to my dorm, knocked on Denise´s door and informed her (much to the confusion of a freshman sitting on her couch) that I wanted the baby. She said great, call them back, so I did, and here I am in Honduras two years later.

On October 5, 2012 Denise´s analogy took on a whole new level of meaning. Fellow volunteers Rachel and Jacob Hurst came down with me and their three adorable boys Jonah, Isaac, and Ruben in October of 2010. On October 5, 2012 their fourth son Elias was born right down the street form my apartment in the city of La Ceiba. Nils and I hung out with Rachel in the week leading up to the date, ready at any moment to do whatever she and baby Elias needed. Then on the day of we watched their three boys as Jacob went with Rachel to the hospital. We got the phone call at 6 pm, and got to tell the boys they had a new baby brother.

The next day we got to visit Rachel and baby Elias. He is simply the cutest little infant you could imagine. My heart filed with joy as I watch Jacob tickle his tiny feet, while Rachel held him with such love. I could not help but think of Denise, and how grateful I was to have had the opportunity to share in not only this moment with Elias, but all the moments of the past two years. The child birth like road over the past two years has proven tiring, but in the end the graces are proving undeniably amazing.

I simply wish to say thank you to Denise for giving me the push I needed to make the choice I knew was right in my heart, and welcome to the world Elias Hurst, it is a pleasure to meet you at last!